Month: July 2017

Gentieu’s Pantry | A Look Back

The year was 1973 and I was 25 years old, opening my first restaurant in Taft. I first came to the area from Delaware in 1970 to teach ROP food services for Taft and Maricopa schools.

Gentieu’s Pantry was a modest entry into the restaurant industry with the first day receipts total of $128.00. Modest start, yes! With just a $7000 investment and rent of $300 a month, it was the start of a wonderful 50+ year career in the food business.

Looking back over 40 years, the Pantry was well received by the community and I think most will agree, the sandwiches we created there were one of a kind and have not been duplicated to this day. We accomplished many firsts there: 5ft. Sandwiches delivered by motorcycle, home of the KiWi sandwich, the first pickled tongue sandwich in town, the record breaking worlds longest sandwich and of course, Philadelphia subs and cheese steaks sandwiches.

My sincere thanks to the people of Taft and surrounding trade area for your continuing support now and back then. There will always be a special place in my heart for the town where my entrepreneurial spirit first began.

Please share your memories of the Pantry by posting comments on our blog or on Facebook. It would be so good to hear from you.

Chef Len

Fruit platter | Go Big or Go Home

Summertime is a great time for bar BBQ’s and outdoor entertaining. Fresh fruit always a favorite and the quality and availability is much better this time of year. Rather than place the typical  platter of cut melons, grapes, strawberries and pineapple etc. I decided to make a display the focal point of the buffet.

This display was for a fundraiser being held at the Biddel House in SLO (Biddle House pictured above). Owned by Adrian Lena, it is a beautiful Victorian home located just off the business district. Adrian was such a gracious host sharing her home for an event for Gods Haven for Children (foster family agency) . The kitchen island topped with granite was spectacular and I decided (with her approval) to create the display on one end of it, no platters. I began by placing large leaves of romaine down to create a base for the fruit to rest on. On top of that placing watermelon basket filled with strawberries then adding  apple birds, citrus crowns, grape clusters, pineapple tops and assorted other fruits displaying some in their packing boxes.

photo courtesy Jim Davis

The colors and shapes can’t help but be pleasing to the eye. The point here is not how good you might be at fruit carving but rather to create a WOW! factor when the guest step up to the buffet to begin service. People also eat with their eyes! Have fun with it , when complete you can step back to view it and be proud of what you created.

So when time permits and good quality fruit is in season leave your platter in the pantry and set up right on the counter or table top. Use my photo for ideas. This display was the hit of the party and will be at yours too.

Let’s get cookin!

Chef Len

Check out my abalone recipe to go well with this display!

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Fresh Boiled Shrimp | 2 Sauces

I had the Papagallo hauled out in Ventura for inspection. A fishing boat came to the yard with some mechanical issues and they still had some of the catch onboard. The captain handed me a container of shrimp and asked if I might prepare them for some of the yard workers. I told him of course I would be glad to. There is no comparison between freshly caught shrimp and frozen. These were going to be good eating.

Method:

In a large pot bring water to a boil with slices of fresh onion and celery , couple cans of beer and some pickling spice or old bay seasoning. Place the shrimp in when pot reaches a boil. Do not over cook! They will take five or so minutes depending upon their size. They are done when turning red in color and flesh is firm and white when you cut a sample in half. Undercooked the flesh is translucent and not real firm. After the cooking time is reached always cut one in half to check for doneness. Can be served warm or after cooled in ice water. Boil with shell on ! On this day I boiled them off right at lunch time so the guys could enjoy them hot and steamy for lunch. What a hit and a real treat they talked about during my stay in the boatyard.

Sauces:

I prepared two that day.

-Melted butter with squeeze of fresh lemon juice and 10 cloves of chopped fresh garlic.

-Cocktail sauce : mix : 4 cups of catsup , juice from 2 lemons, few dashes of Worcestershire sauce and 1 cup of prepared horseradish. Chefs note: I find good horseradish at the Smart and Final store. With the large amount of horseradish it will give the sauce a more orange color than a deeper red you see in most restaurants. This recipe also has a wonderful kick to it which most people like. If too hot add more catsup.

Good quality catsup and good quality horseradish are keys to getting good results.

Yum!

Chef Len

Check out last week’s recipe here!

Flaming Coffee A’la Gentieu

Ready to WOW your guests?! This Flaming Coffee recipe is sure to do the trick!

To begin, you will need glassware that can withstand the heat of burning rum. I use a 17.5 ounce Libbey 8418 Bolla Grade wine glass that has worked well for me over the years. You can find them, here.

Ingredients: 

Brewed Coffee
Kahlua
Bacardi 151 Rum
Baileys Irish Cream
Ground Cinnamon
1 Fresh Orange
Sugar
Fresh Whipped Cream

You will also need a flame, preferably from a candle. Start by quartering the orange and using one piece and rim the edge of each glass with it’s juice. Dip each orange-rimmed glass into sugar placed on a small plate as if you were rimming a margarita glass with salt. Next, pour a scant ounce of rum into a one-ounce ladle. I prefer Bacardi 151 Rum, a highly flammable variety that’s 75.5 percent alcohol.

Holding the ladle in one hand and the glass in the other, run the ladle under the open flame to ignite it. Place the burning ladle of rum halfway into the glass. Carefully lift and tilt the ladle upward and out of the glass, catching the burning rum in the glass. When the ladle empties, blow out any remaining fire in the ladle. Swirl the glass with the burning rum as if it were a red wine. Sprinkle some ground cinnamon into the fire to create a colorful sparkling effect.

The rum should burn for several seconds, but don’t let it burn too long as the glass will become too hot. Pour the coffee into the glass by resting the edge of the coffee pot or container on the edge of the glass. When you begin pouring, move the glass in a downward motion and the coffee container in an upward motion. this causes a stream of coffee to flow through the air to half fill the glass and extinguish the flame.

Add shots of Kahlüa and Baileys, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, and sprinkle with cinnamon. When handing the drink to the guests, caution them about how hot it is. This dish exists in many versions using a broad range of ingredients. Once you’re comfortable making it, experiment with coffee syrups, other liqueurs and chocolate.

This coffee service is even more spectacular performed in the dark. The rum burns with a beautiful blue flame and sprinkled cinnamon adds a “Fourth of July” effect. Just be sure there’s enough light to let you see what you’re doing!

Enjoy!

Chef Len 

Check out last week’s recipe!

Chicken Piccata | A Savory Summer Favorite

This week’s recipe is a perfect Summer recipe. Whether you pair it with pasta, a fresh salad or something a little more savory, the blend of  flavors are refreshing and a perfect dish for Summer!

Ingredients: 
1.  4 - 6oz skinless/boneless chic breast
2.  Seasoned flour S/P for dredging 
3.  1/3 cup drawn butter for sautéing 
4 .  Juice from one lemon
5.  1/4 cup capers
6.  1/2 cup Chardonnay wine
7.  4 TB. Heavy cream 
8. Chopped parsley to finish


Method:


Place chic breast between cling film and lightly tenderize with mallet
Dredge in seasoned flour. Heat butter and sauté breast until brown on both sides, remove from pan place in 325 degree oven for 5 to 10 min. Until done. 


To make sauce deglaze sauté pan with wine, add the cream and capers and reduce by half. Finish with lemon juice and parsley. Serve chicken with ladle of sauce over top.

Chefs note:

Most recipes do not call for heavy cream , I like to add it for a little extra richness, you don’t need much. Also if you sauté pan is large enough it’s nice to return the cooked chicken to the pan with sauce and let simmer a minute or so before serving, then ladle sauce over top, giving the dish a little more flavor.

Enjoy !

Chef Len

Ps. Looking for some more inspiration in the kitchen? Check out last week’s recipe for another culinary treat!